The foreign military presence will be removed,” said Muizzu from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Regional powerhouses China and India have both sought to exert greater influence in the archipelago. Solih had pursued an “India first” policy, and the polls were seen as a referendum of sorts. Muizzu had criticised Solih’s trade policy as slanted in favour of India and campaigned on a promise of greater economic ties with China. India has about 75 military personnel stationed in Maldives, an island group that is home to about 521,000 people.

Source: The Nation November 17, 2023 02:55 UTC